Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1887-12-24
MILE-.STONES.
Events That Mark the Beginning Of
Epochs in the Worlds History
Christmas--.Its Origin and
Associations.

Old Father Time has his mile
stones. The first one of which we
have any account is the seventh day
the Sabbath, and that came down
to us from Mount Sinai. The Jews
had another one-the seventh year, q
year of rest for the land, in which
they were forbidden to pillow or to
hoe, to reap or to SOW. And there
was another, called the year of
jubilee-the fiftieth year, i'm which the |
slaves were set free and the lands
were restored to those who had sold |
them. We hear now of leases for
ninety-nine years, but with the Jews
all sales or leases expired the forty
ninth, or year of jubilee. There was
great rejoicing when the time came
for the Children or the grandchildren
to get back the old homestead of their
ancestors.
But the most popular and import
ant of the mile-stones is the aniver-
sary of the birth of Christ. 1t is
very common everywhere to cele-
brate birthdays. Americans make
big fuss over Washington's birthday
because he is called the Father of His
Country. Most every family makes
a little fuss over the birthday of the
parents or children. They don't toot
horns or pop tire-crackers, but they
have an extra good dinner and fix up
some little present as a pleasant sur
prise. The 4th of July was the birth
of Nation, and so the Nation always
lebrates that day. But Christmas
belongs to all civilized countries. 1t
is blessed heritage and belongs to
all alike-the rich and the poor, the
bond and the free, the King and his
subjects.
Christians began to observe Christ
mas about fifteen hundred years ago.
In course of time the young people
rather lost sight of the sacredness of
the day and made it day of feasting
and frolic. They sang songs because
it was said that the shepherds sang
songs at Bethlehem. They made
presents to one another because the
wise men from the East brought
presents to the young child and
mother.
The Roman Catholic church has
observed these celebrations for CEN
turtles and the Church of England
took them up and so did the PrOtes-
tants of Germany and other countries.
In great painting Of Nativity, by
Raphael, there is seen a Shepherd at
the door playing on bagpipe. The
Tyrolese who live on the mountain
slopes of Italy come down to the
, valleys on Christmas eve. They
come caroling sweet songs and play
ing on musical instruments. There
used to be many curious superstitions
r about Christmas. 1t was believed
: that an OK and an ass that were near
: where the Savior was born bent their
knees in devotion, and so the people
3 believed that all the domestic animals
8 went to prayer on Christmas night
s They believed that when the rooster
a crowed for midnight all the wizards
; and witches and hobgoblins and evi
1 spirits fled away from the habitation'
8 of men and hid in hollow trees anG
caves and deserted houses for twelve
d days.
J. Mr.. Carlyle said that every natior
IS should have hero and should wor
e ship him-not as a god or in place o
If the true God, but the next thing to it
h He says it cements the people togeth
s er and makes them proud of thei
d country and content with their gov
. eminent. This hero may be real O
s imaginary, but the people must be
st lieve that he fought for them or dieC
d for them or was the founder of thei
institutions or their religion. TIL
. ancient Norsemen had Odin and Tho
" for their heroes. The Persians hat
l. their genii and their fairies; the Hin
e docs their rakshar; the Greeks ant
II Romans their wonderful gods ant
j. goddesses, such as Jupiter and Lun
is and Hercules and Vulcan and Nep
y tune. The more enlightened a pee
: pie becomes, the more sublime ar
~ their superstitions. The uncivilize,
Y Indians are mystifed, and can onl!
"see God in clouds and hear him il